Bosworth, Wells & Co.

The Marietta Intelligencer, January 19, 1859

Messrs. Bosworth, Wells & Co. have purchased the buildings and ground on the corner of Front and Monroe streets, lately occupied by Joseph Wildt and owned by Charles Shipman. The lot is 42 feet wide on Front Street, by 190 deep. It is the intention of Messrs. B., W. & Co. to tear down the old buildings on the rear of the lot, move the dwelling house on the corner to the back end, and in its place erect two elegant brick stores, with iron fronts, having a width of 42 feet and a depth of 100 feet. These will be the largest stores in town, and if we are to judge from a partial design of them exhibited to us, they will be the handsomest and most showy structures in this part of the city. This firm has been hitherto much straitened for room; in the new building opportunity will be afforded for the full development of their progressive, enterprising spirit.

The sum paid for the buildings and lot was $3,400. The firm has already began to collect materials and will commence building about the 1st of April.

Old Marietta Papers - Number 17

The Marietta Register, January 15, 1864

"Old Marietta Papers" was a series of columns compiled and published in 1863 and 1864 by Rodney M. Stimson, editor of "The Marietta Register." 

The Epidemics

It is now over three-quarters of a century since the first settlement at Marietta, and the town has been visited with only three epidemics - in the years 1807, 1822 and 1823 - the last just turned forty years ago. "Except in these three years," in the very truthful words of the late Dr. Hildreth, "it has been uniformly healthy, indeed remarkably so." At these times intermittent and remittent fevers were extensively epidemic. It may be remarked that it was quite sickly in Warren in the fall of 1821, when it was healthy in Marietta.

Dr. Hildreth - who died last summer at almost four-score, having lived among us fifty-seven years well spent, and who from his length of life, strict integrity, close observation and patient industry, putting the results of his labors on record for the future was, perhaps, the most useful citizen Marietta ever has had - has left us some history of these epidemics, from which to give this article completeness, we draw a few items.

The Epidemic of 1807

The spring of 1807 was uncommonly wet - according to Dr. Hildreth in the Medical Repository, New York, 1808 - and through the summer every fair day was preceded and followed by two or three wet ones; much corn and grass were destroyed by excessive moisture. Through the low grounds there was stagnant water in every direction, full of corrupting vegetable and some animal matter, exhaling putridity and disease, engendered by the summer sun, and put in motion by every breeze. By the middle of July intermittent and remittent fevers were common, and in August scarcely a family on the bottoms were free from the disorder in some form or other - extending up and down the Ohio River for several hundred miles. The fever was more malignant and fatal at Gallipolis than at Marietta. Cold weather put a stop to the disease, late in the fall. Of the number of deaths here we have no account, but it was not large in proportion to the number affected.

The Epidemics of 1822 and 1823

The sickness of 1822 - says Dr. Hildreth in the Philadelphia Journal of Medical and Physical Sciences, 1824 - was almost wholly confined to the neighborhood of the streams. The season, unlike that of 1807, was characterized by a severe drought, while 1823 was the opposite of 1822 and was very wet. As to the origin of the epidemics, some had it that the fever was brought up from the South on boats, others that southerly winds imported it, but the Doctor states: "The opinion of those who would take the trouble of thinking at all on the subject was that the fever of 1822 had its origin from the sand-bars and beaches of the Ohio river, laid bare by the great drought of that year; and that of 1823, from the standing water and low wet places in the bottoms, gradually becoming dry, and exhaling their poisonous vapors."

The summer of 1822 was hot, with little or not thunder or heavy wind to purify the atmosphere; hot winds came almost constantly from the south; and the Ohio was lower that ever before since the first settlement. The water was in long pools, nearly stagnant, and covered with a mucous scum, while the shores were lined with grass covered with green vegetable matter, which being exposed to the sun emitted miasma to poison the atmosphere. In the latter part of June fevers began to appear on the "Plain"; in July most of the cases were in Harmar; and by the 1st of August the fever appeared at the "Point." 

There were the most cases in September. At one time, within a square mile, 400 were sick out of a population of 1,200 from "the mildest intermittent, and intermediate grads, up to the genuine yellow fever." The Doctor says he had about 600 cases under his care from the first of July to the last of November. The majority of the cases were comparatively mild, and the proportion of deaths was about one in sixteen. The heavy frosts of November stopped the epidemic.

There were several well authenticated cases of dogs being attacked with regular paroxysms of chill, or shake, followed with fever and thirst.

The spring of 1823 was pleasant, with every prospect of a salubrious summer. But how sad the disappointment! The sickness broke out anew in June and pervaded nearly all parts of the West. It was not, as in 1822, confined to the vicinity of the water courses, but infested the uplands. The country was deluged with rain in June and July, with very little thunder and lightning, and no heavy winds. Every spot that could hold water was filled with it. Fields of corn and wheat were ruined and grass rotted. The low land exhaled noxious vapors, so that people in passing were obliged to put their hands to their noses and hasten through some disgusting spots. In plowing in rich bottoms, instead of the pleasant odor that usually arises from freshly plowed land, a sickly smell would be sent forth.

The rains ceased the last of August, but the systems of the people had become charged with miasma. In September and October dysenteries were prevalent; the fevers the same as in 1822. The disease was more malignant and fatal in the country than in town, especially in rich bottoms, where weeds grew in many places to the enormous height of fifteen or eighteen feet. In spite of the drawback on corn in the earlier part of summer the crop was heavy from its luxuriant growth, and almost without cultivation, otherwise a famine would have followed, for there were not well persons enough to take care of the sick, much less to cultivate their farms.

Those who escaped attack in 1822 were attacked with the fever in 1823, while those who had severe attacks in the first generally escaped in the next year.

Notes from the "Friend" on the Epidemic of 1822

The first mention in the "Friend" that there was any unusual sickness in Marietta or vicinity was on Sept. 13th, although the "Epidemic of 1822" had then prevailed over two months. It speaks of the Ohio and Muskingum as being at that time mere brooks in comparison to their usual size," and says: "Fevers, agues, cholera morbus, dysentery, &c. have prevailed to a melancholy degree, along with the margin of the streams and in low grounds, and many deaths have occurred." It attributes the cause to dying vegetation in places formerly plentifully supplied with water on the shores of the streams and low grounds.

Sept. 15, a public meeting was held, the town divided into districts, and committees appointed to visit the sick and supply them with attendants or whatever might be required, and make a daily report.

Sept. 18, at a meeting of the Committees - Dudley Woodbridge, Jr., being the Chairman, and William A. Whittlesey, Secretary, about 300 were reported sick in town. The same proportion to population at this day, would give about 1,100!

Resolutions were adopted that "the distressed situation of our fellow citizens and friends, calls for the utmost exertions and deepest humiliation," that "we will exhort and encourage each other in visiting the sick," &c.; that "looking beyond the sword of pestilence to Him who wields it," and so on, "we humble ourselves before Almighty God and recommend to our fellow citizens to observe a day of public fasting, humiliation and prayer, imploring the pardon of our sins, individually and as a people, the arrest of the pestilence which ravages our town, and grace to receive and do all things, as those who have hope in the Lord," and that Henry Dana Ward and William R. Putnam be a committee to wait upon Rev. S. P. Robbins (Congregational) and Rev. Cornelius Springer (Methodist), and request them to agree upon a day of fasting and, if agreeable, to unite their congregations in its solemn service.

Mr. Robbins and Mr. Springer gave public notice that Saturday, Sept. 21st, would be observed as a day of fasting, in accordance with the resolution of the meeting, service to commence at 11 o'clock A.M. at the Congregational Church.

Sept. 27, the Friend stated, "that, with the exception of fifteen or twenty who are quite low, the citizens are on the recovery and but very few new cases have occurred within the last two or three days." yet 28 deaths occurred in the township within the next 21 days.

Oct. 4, the editor complained of "indisposition" on his part and issued only a half sheet, which he continued to do for five weeks.

Oct. 18, the number of deaths in Marietta township [including the city of Marietta], which then had a population of a little over 2,000, was published as follows:

January - 2
February - 1
March - 4
April - 6
May - 1
June - 7
July - 10
August -  21
September - 34

October to 17th - 21

The "Friend" labored all the time to make the best of it, and in December made this statement: "The number who were sick or ill in the village during this season was probably about 400; about 40 died of fever."

Notes from the "Friend" on the Epidemic of 1823

July 17 - Thursday - observed in Marietta as a day of special fasting and prayer, "that God would be pleased in his infinite mercy to preserve us as a people from epidemic diseases," &c., with services at the Congregational Church.

July 31, the Friend speaks of "some cases of intermitting fever within the town plat, but none attended with the malignancy of last year."

The Friend was issued on a half sheet for three weeks in August, apologizing that all hands of the office were sick, except one boy; and after Aug. 28, no paper was issued until Oct. 9, every person connected with the concern being sick with the prevailing fever.

Oct. 16, the Friend argues that the sickness had been no worse in Marietta or the Ohio Valley than elsewhere, and instances Zanesville, Lancaster, Chillicothe, Circleville and Columbus as having been "very sickly."

Oct. 30, the list of those buried in the "Mound Cemetery" between July 5th and Oct. 29th - three months and twenty-four days - was published. The number were as follows:

July - 31
August 46
September - 45
October - 19

Total - 141

Of these there died within the corporation, 72; in Marietta township, outside the corporation, 55; brought from other townships, 14.

At Harmar, the deaths during the epidemic of 1823 numbered ten or eleven.

The "Friend" remarked: "The late sickness has made great, we had almost said irreparable, breaches in society, not only as it respects the numbers, but the characters also, of those taken away. In many instances children are left without father or mother."

Thursday, May 20, 1824, in view of the "afflicting dispensations of Divine Providence" in the two years preceding, and the "fearful apprehension that the people may in like manner be visited again," was observed by the religious societies of Marietta as a day of fasting and prayer - services at the Congregational Church - upon the recommendation of Rev. Daniel Limerick, M. E. Church, Elder James "McAboy, Baptist, and Dea. William r. Putnam, Congregational. But the season turned out to be one of good health, and no like epidemic has since visited Marietta.

It remains to give as far as is now in our power, a list of the deaths in the years 1822 and 1823 - not only during the epidemic months, but in the whole of each year - the epidemics beginning in June and ending in November.

Deaths in 1822:

Feb. 21, John McIntosh, aged 70.

March 23, Lewis, son of William Skinner.

Apr. 2, Susan, infant dau. of Capt. L. Edgerton.

Apr. 4, Josiah Buck.

Apr. 19, Bridget, wife of John Brough, Esq., four weeks and one day after marriage.

Apr. 20, Mrs. Algeo.

June 27, Charles F., son of Ephraim Ranger.

June 30, Frances, wife of Col. George Turner.

July 10, Humphrey Hook, in Wood Co., Va., 56.

Aug. 1, Mary, wife of Elder John Gates, 52.

Aug. 1, Abram Seevers, in Fearing, 74.

Aug. 21, Hon. Paul Fearing, in Harmar, 60.

Aug. 21, Cynthia, his wife, within 6 hours, 45.

Aug. 26, John Cornell.

Aug. 27, The wife of Capt. Nathan Bowen.

Aug. 30, Mrs. Catharine McClintick, 47.

Sept. 9, Joanna Lincoln, 20.

Sept. 9, Janna R. Bowers.

Sept. 9, Mrs. Merriam, in Adams.

Sept. 10, Reuben Merriam, in Adams.

Sept. 16, Mrs. Persis Howe.

Sept. 19, Charlotte, wife of A. W. Putnam, 49.

Sept. 21, A. W. Putnam, 55, in Belpre.

Sept. 16, Mrs. Solinger, in Union.

Sept. 19, Christiana Ulmer.

Sept. 20, John Miller.

Sept. 20, Ann Eliza, dau. of Levi Cole.

Sept. 21, Justus Morse.

Sept. 21, Silas Barter.

Sept. 24, Jacob Schachtelin.

Sept. 25, Elder John Gates, 55.

Sept. 25, Mrs. Mills.

Sept. 25, John Drown, on the Island, 19.

Sept. 26, Capt. Obadiah Lincoln, 53.

Sept. 26, John Clark, 61.

Sept. 26, Sarah, his wife, 50.

Sept. 27, Mrs. Deborah Erwin, 81.

Sept. 27, Hugh Dixon, 40.

Sept. 27, Tiffany Adams, in Warren.

Sept. 28, Angelina Lincoln, 17.

Sept. 28, Harriet, dau. of Wyllys Hall.

Sept. 28, Caroline, dau. of James Bliss, 7.

Sept. 28, Mary Ann, dau. of Jasher Taylor.

Sept. 28, Lucy, a woman of color.

Sept. 30, Clarissa, wife of Capt. Timothy Buell.

Oct. 1, Jefferson Lincoln, 12.

Oct. 1, Wealthy A., dau. of Richard Alcock, 6.

Oct. 1, Infant son of John Kelly.

Oct. 1, Mary, dau. of S. D. W. Drown, on Island.

Oct. 1, Solomon Jarvis, 56, in Wood Co., Va.

Oct. 2, Titus Buck, 48.

Oct. 2, James Knight, 31.

Oct. 2, Manasseh, son of Ephraim Cutler, 12, Warren.

Oct. 4, Col. Jacob Ulmer.

Oct. 5, Mark Anderson.

Oct. 5, Mrs. Polly White, 73, in Fearing.

Oct. 6, Henry Winum, 46.

Oct. 7, Mrs. Mees.

Oct. 8, Philip Cunningham, 23.

Oct. 8, William Judson, 37.

Oct. 9, Mrs. Lyon.

Oct. 9, Eliza Anderson, 13.

Oct. 10, Abraham Sharp, 38.

Oct. 10, Mrs. Schachtelin.

Oct. 10, Mrs. Lucretia Hampstead, 52.

Oct. 12, Jonas Livermore, 56.

Oct. 14, Charles Lincoln, 4.

Oct. 16, John Brough, Esq., 75.

Oct. 18, Dudley Dodge.

Oct. 21, Henry Murphy, 9.

Nov. 4, Lydia, wife of William White, 29, Fearing.

Nov. 27, John Dye, Sen., 88.

Dec. 14, Mary, wife of Benjamin P. Putnam.

For the following who died in this year [1822], we have no month or day:

Amos Morris, of Adams.

Benjamin Nott, of Adams.

Obadiah Morris, of Adams.

Richard Talbot, of Grandview.

Jotham Wright, of Newport.

John Stewart, of Warren.

Benedict E. Rathbone, of Belpre.

Elisha Woodward, of Marietta.

Richard Waterman, of Marietta.

Joseph Babcock, of Marietta.

Jonathan Guitteau, of Marietta.

Deaths in 1823:

Jan. 30, Casper Smith, 46.

Feb. 22, Mrs. Sally Cain, 48, in Fearing.

Apr. 7, Samuel Brooks, 70, in Union.

Apr. 25, Mrs. Abigail Dye, 69, in Lawrence.

May 6, Capt. Phineas Dunsmoor, 50, in Wesley.

May 12, Joel Oaks, in Belpre.

June 10, Robert McCabe, 43.

July 12, Capt. Benjamin Blake, 40, in Fearing.

Sept. 8, Jonathan Dunham, 70, in Warren.

Sept. 15, William Ford, Jr., in Watertown.

Oct. 3, Rufus Humphreys, 25, in Newport.

Oct. 31, John Chamber, in Lawrence.

Nov. 1, Hon. John Sharp, in Lawrence.

Nov. 6, Davidson Murray.

Nov. 12, Adoniram J. Guitteau, 30, in Fearing.

Dec. 30, Elizabeth, wife of Capt. Nathaniel Clark, 28.

The following is the list of burials in "Mound Cemetery" during July, August, September and October, 1823, the figures denoting the day:

July

5 - George Howe.

8 - Jacob Drake.

11 - Son of Briggs.

13 - Mrs. Dempsey.

14 - Joseph Bartlett.

14 - T. J. H. Sanford.

14 - Mrs. Hill.

18 - Mary A. Cunningham.

18 - William Taylor.

19 - Mrs. Bacon.

21 - John Locker.

22 - Dau. of George Corner.

22 - Mrs. Livermore.

23 - Caleb Thornily.

23 - Mathew Miner.

23 - Son of Samuel Stone.

23 - Child of Mr. Bacon.

24 - Harriet Hartshorn.

24 - Harriet Hearn.

24 - Mrs. Miner.

25 - Mrs. Miller.

25 - Mrs. Thorniley.

26 - Pamelia Rood.

26 - Son of A. Daniels.

28 - Rachel Howe.

28 - Mrs. Hoff.

28 - Levi Benjamin.

29 - Leonard Foster.

29 - William Fulton.

29 - Anna Roger.

30 - Jonathan Carnes.

August

1 - Mr. Borwn.

2 - Mr. Follett.

3 - Son of Jacob Brown.

5 - Eliza Stanley.

5 - Dau. of Broadhurst.

5 - James Lincoln.

6 - Child of W. Holyoke.

6 - Mrs. Merrill.

6 - Mrs. Rood.

6 - D. Woodbridge, Sen.

6 - Child of D. Protsman.

8 - Child of Pratt.

9 - Pearce Morse.

9 - William McAllister.

11 - Child of A. Daniels.

12 - Child of D. Murray.

13 - Joseph Harris.

13 - Harriet Goodwin.

14 - Sally Druse.

14 - Child of C. Thorniley.

14 - Mrs. Ezekiel Deming.

15 - Mrs. Dr. Jett.

16 - Mrs. Duncan.

16 - Mrs. Pratt.

17 - Mrs. Morse.

17 - Child of T. Buell.

17 - Child of R. McCabe.

18 - Child of Mr. Wheeler.

18 - Mrs. Goodwin.

18 - Mrs. Keating.

19 - Child of Cherry.

19 - Mr. Goodwin.

20 - John Phelps.

23 - Child of J. Brown.

23 - Child of J. Clark.

24 - Child of William Talbot.

26 - Mrs. Guitteau.

27 - Ruth Johnson.

28 - Mrs. Browning.

28 - Mary Stone.

29 - Eliza Palmer.

29 - Son of Jedidiah Chase.

30 - Mrs. Stephen Hildreth.

30 - Emily Hoff.

30 - Andrew Webster.

30 - Child of G. Gilbert.

September

1 - Judson Guitteau.

1 - Mrs. Spencer.

1 - Mr. Food.

2 - Son of Jedidiah Chase.

2 - Mrs. Pearce Morse.

3 - Rev. S. P. Robbins.

3 - Mrs. Garnet.

5 - Dr. N. McIntosh.

6 - Dr. Jabez True.

6 - Mary Stone, Sr.

11 - N. Needham.

11 - Child of Mercer.

12 - John Gibson.

12 - Mr. Shoemaker.

12 - A. Shay.

12 - Mrs. Tucker.

13 - Child of Mr. Brown.

14 - Luther Edgerton, Sr.

15 - Ephraim Foster.

16 - Child of Mrs. Harley.

17 - Child of J. Graham.

18 - Child of Jedidiah Chase.

19 - Elizabeth T. Willard.

19 - Child of Crandall.

20 - Ephraim Hill.

20 - Child of J. Graham.

20 - Child of J. J. Preston.

22 - Child of Crandall.

22 - Robert G. Duncan.

22 - Woman from Fearing.

22 - Child of S. Lee.

22 - Child of R. Mills.

24 - Rev. Joseph Willard.

24 - Caleb Barstow.

24 - Allen McNeil.

24 - Child of William Alcock.

25 - Mrs. Deem.

26 - Child of Mr. Locker.

27 - James Gilbert.

28 - Henry Gibson.

28 - Child of Mr. Rich.

28 - Child of Jedidiah Chase.

29 - Julia A. Geren.

30 - Child of D. Gilbert.

30 - Mrs. McCabe.

October

1 - Mrs. Evans.

1 - Child of C. D. Bonney.

3 - Hopkins Greene.

3 - Joshua Shipman.

3 - Mrs. William M. Case.

6 - Child of William Alcock.

12 - Lorenzo Protsman.

14 - Child of E. Ryan.

15 - Child of T. Buell.

17 - Child of Wyllys Hall.

18 - Mrs. Crandall.

20 - Child of Jedidiah Chase.

21 - Mrs. Bodwell.

21 - Mrs. Ryan.

22 - Child of Mr. Bacon.

28 - Mrs. McCune.

28 - Mrs. Nathaniel Dodge.

29 - Edward Guitteau.

Of the above, 72 belonged to the corporation of Marietta; 55 to the township outside the corporation; 14 to other townships. Children, 51, five those of Jedidiah Chase. Among the more prominent men were Dudley Woodbridge Sen., Rev. Samuel P. Robbins, Dr. Jabez True, Dr. Nathan McIntosh, Luther Edgerton, Sen.

The following died about this time, but we have no day or month:

Ezra Crane, of Marietta.

Lucretia Saltonstall, of Marietta.

Amzi Stanley, of Marietta.

Elizur Carver, of Marietta.

Lydia McKawen, of Marietta.

Anna Shepard, of Marietta.

Margaret Morse, of Marietta.

Amos Fairchild, of Decatur.

Sarah Wiseman, of Harmar.

Orgilous Doan, of Salem.

Joseph Cook, Jr., of Belpre.

Samuel H. Dunbar, of Union.

Jonathan Thomas, of Warren.

David Blauset, of Fearing.

Joel Tuttle, Sen., of Fearing.

Mary Greene, of Newport.

Jacob Churchill, of Newport.

William Ford, Sen., of Watertown.

Thomas Wilson, of Watertown.

Robert Andrews, of Watertown.

Rev. William Boles, of Waterford.

Alexander McCoy, of Waterford.

Samuel Cushing, of Waterford.

Joshua Sprague, Esq., of Adams.

Theophilus Ransom, of Adams.

Nathaniel Patterson, of Adams.

Nancy Green, of Adams. 

Finish Local Movie Film

 Marietta Daily Times, March 3, 1915

Messrs. Guillette and Harris completed their photo-play, "A Princess's Visit to Marietta" last evening when the local post-office, the post-master and his assistants were photographed at the west side of the Government building. In filming this picture, twelve hundred feet of negative was exposed, views being taken of many of the interesting places of Marietta.

The local young man who played the part of king will go under the stage name as King Baggott and in escorting the queen, also a local young lady, over the city, will be complimented in his fine acting. Interior scenes of Marietta's large concerns were taken and large crowds followed the actors over the city as the "movies" were taken.

The film was taken to New York last evening and after being developed and finished will be brought here for one week and then given to other cities. Mr. Sybert of the Hippodrome, who made possible this unique affair, stated today that he expected the film to be completed and thrown on the screen at the Hipp beginning Monday night.

Old Marietta Papers - Number 16

 The Marietta Register, January 8, 1864

"Old Marietta Papers" was a series of columns compiled and published in 1863 and 1864 by Rodney M. Stimson, editor of "The Marietta Register."

Note - We had expected to give a full account of the Epidemics of 1822 and 1823 in this number, but we are compelled to postpone it until next week, when we shall give the account in full.

The First Steamboat to Zanesville. Friday morning, Jan. 9, 1824, the steamer "Rufus Putnam," Capt. John Greene, on a favorable stage of water, with freight and a large number of passengers, left Marietta for Zanesville. She accomplished the trip, as says the Friend, "without accident, evincing the practicability of navigating this river (the Muskingum) a portion of the year by steamboats of 100 tons." The boat returned to Marietta Tuesday evening, having been gone 4-1/2 days. She "laid up" on Friday night and arrived at Zanesville at 10 o'clock Saturday night, stemming "a current much stronger than that of the Ohio." She ran down from Zanesville in about 7-1/2 hours. This was more than a dozen years before the "Muskingum Improvement" was begun. The Rufus Putnam was the first boat built on the Muskingum (at Marietta), launched May 18, 1822, and was the first steamboat to ascend the Muskingum to Zanesville. The arrival of the boat was hailed with delight at Zanesville, and a supper was given by the citizens to Capt. Greene and party at Hughes' Hotel.

Jan. 1824, Dudley Woodbridge, Henry P. Wilcox and Walter Curtis were elected Associate Judges of Washington County by the Legislature. Whether they all accepted or not, we are not advised.

"Billy Todd" gave notice that he was ready to begin cloth dressing at his mill. He lived where President Andrews now lives, and had a brewery and a mill on his premises.

May 18, 1824, the friends of Gen. Andrew Jackson for the Presidency held a meeting in Marietta. George Dunlevy, Chairman; David Morris, Secretary. A corresponding committee was appointed consisting of Messrs. Dunlevy and Morris T. K. Cooke, S. H. Gates and Silas Cook. Col. Joseph Barker was recommended as a candidate for Elector on the Jackson ticket.

June 7, 1824, the steamboat "Red River" was launched at Harmar - built by James Whitney for Capt. J. R. Kimball of New Orleans.

June 9, 1824, the friends of John Quincy Adams for the Presidency held a meeting at the Court House, Ephraim Cutler, Chairman; Dr. S. P. Hildreth, Secretary.

The "Friend" favored the election of John Quincy Adams. William Skinner, Esq., of this county, was a candidate for Elector on the "Clay Ticket."

The Marietta "Minerva," which had been commenced a few months before by the Jolines came out for Clay.

July 4, 1824, celebration at Congregational Church; prayer by Rev. Mr. Limerick; Declaration read by James M. Booth, Esq.; Oration by John K. Joline, Dinner on the Commons prepared by Mr. Reno. Gov. Meigs was President of the day.

At the December session in 1824, on petition of the inhabitants, the County Commissioners changed the name of the township of Wooster to Watertown.

Dec. 3, 1824, the Marietta "Minerva," which had been published one year and six weeks by John K. and A. V. D. Joline, ceased to exist.

Marriages in 1824:

Jan. 11, Nathan Wheeler and Elizabeth Hart.

Jan. 11, Eli Green and Elizabeth N. Stewart, both of Barlow.

March 31, Capt. Nathaniel Dodge of Marietta and Mrs. Lucy Adams of Warren.

Apr. 4, Anthony Hill and Sally Lewis, both of Union.

Apr. 25th, John Smith of Newport and Eliza Williams of Marietta.

Apr. 25th, Caleb Thorniley and Tabitha Erwin.

May 1, William Case and Fanny Bryan.

May 25th, Powell Hoff and Martha Brewster.

May 30th, Col. John Mills and Deborah S. Wilson.

June 3, Cortland Shepard and Hannah Lake.

June 3, Maj. Henry Hill and Mrs. Jerusha Doan, both of Salem.

June 6th, Barker Rouse of Belpre and Mary Philips of Marietta.

June 8th, John Stacy and Lucoba Rice, both of Union.

July 13, John Stephenson and Louisa Gray.

Aug. 26, Chauncey T. Judd and Clarissa Hartshorn.

Sept. 21, Henry Armstrong and Sarah Stephenson.

Sept. 30th, in Barlow, James Lawton, Jr., and Eliza W. Paskell.

Oct. 7, in Waterford, Michael Devin and Harriet Chambers.

Nov. 28, Nathaniel Dodge, Jr., and Elizabeth Burlingame.

Dec. 16, George Payne of Salem and Julinda Hill of Fearing.

Deaths in 1824:

Feb. 9, Jonathan Samson.

Feb. 15th, Dr. John L. Shaw, 54.

Feb. 18, John Clogston, 58.

March 7, in Fearing, Sally W., wife of Maj. William Hart, 45.

March 9th, in Union (now Muskingum), Israel Putnam, a grandson of Gen. Israel, 58.

March 20th, Peter Radcliff Putnam, third son of David Putnam, Esq., 20.

April 13, Stephen Hodgman.

April 26th, in Columbus, Julia, wife of D. L. Rathbone (sister of William Pitt Putnam of Belpre).

May 1, Gen. Rufus Putnam (who was at the head of the first settlement here), 86.

May 11th, in Wood Co., Va., Dr. Joseph Spencer, 74.

August 19, in Newport, James Mullen, 27.

August 29th, in Newport, Isabella, wife of John Rowland, 63.

Sept. 15, in Meigs Co., Col. Robert C. Barton, formerly of Marietta.

October Election in 1824

The election in 1824 appears to have excited more interest and to have caused more feeling here than any previous election. After the death of the old Federalist party there had been a political millennium, as elsewhere in the country. Now they again split up, more with reference to men than to principles. We had here for President, "Adams men," "Jackson men," and "Clay men"; it does not appear there were any "Crawford men," William H. Crawford of Ga. being one of the four candidates for the Presidency. Men who had opposed each other as "Republicans" and "Federalists" in years gone by, now came together, while those who had been together in one or the other of those parties, now were apart. Yet the total vote at the October election in Washington County was only 986. The "Adams men" triumphed, less interest was felt in the Presidential election and the total vote was then only 788.

At the October election there were nine candidates for Sheriff and five for Commissioner. It seems to have been a "free fight." Dr. John Cotton was elected Representative; Jesse Loring of Belpre, Sheriff; D. H. Buell, Commissioner; R. Prentiss, Auditor; and Griffin Greene, Coroner. The Representative was now elected by Washington County alone; for a dozen years or more before, it had been classed with Athens or with Morgan, the district electing two Representatives.

The vote of Marietta stood - For Governor, Jeremiah Morrow 136, Allen Trimble 68; Congress, S. F. Vinton 142, Levi Barber 59; Representative, John Cotton 174, William Skinner 30; Commissioner, D. H. Buell 154, Joel Tuttle 29, Thomas White 9, Daniel Goodno 5, A. Porter 2; Sheriff, E. Hoff 58, S. H. Gates 50, L. D. Barker 45, E. Iams 31, N. Drown 3, A. Dunham 3, S. Dodge 3, J. Dunn 1; Auditor, R. Prentiss 187; Coroner, W. Talbot 115, G. Greene 74, J. Merrill 6.

The county voted - Morrow 723, Trimble 258; Vinton 696, Barber 277; Cotton 766, Skinner 184; Loring 370, Barker 274, Gates 131, Hoff 102, Iams 65, Dodge 17, Dunham 8, Drown 6, Dunn 5; Buell 490, White 312, Tuttle 125, Goodno 22, Porter 17; Prentiss 955; Greene 462, Talbot 322; Merrill 113.

Presidential Election in 1824

Adams: Adams 17, Jackson 9, Clay 1.

Aurelius: Adams 9, Jackson 4, Clay 11.

Belpre: Adams 60, Jackson 5, Clay 5.

Barlow: Adams 22, Jackson 7, Clay 5.

Decatur: Adams 12, Jackson 0, Clay 0.

Fearing: Adams 43, Jackson 9, Clay 1.

Grandview: Adams 1, Jackson 17, Clay 0.

Lawrence: Adams 0, Jackson 12, Clay 0.

Ludlow: Adams 0, Jackson 14, Clay 0.

Marietta: Adams 90, Jackson 73, Clay 24.

Newport: Adams 24, Jackson 0, Clay 1.

Roxbury: Adams 10, Jackson 12, Clay 1.

Salem: Adams 23, Jackson 9, Clay 3.

Union: Adams 40, Jackson 8, Clay 1.

Warren: Adams 30, Jackson 17, Clay 0.

Waterford: Adams 32, Jackson 3, Clay 20.

Wooster (Watertown): Adams 49, Jackson 16, Clay 1.

Wesley: Adams 7, Jackson 10, Clay 13.

Total: Adams 469, Jackson 232, Clay 87.

The State gave a majority for Clay, the vote standing - Clay 19,255, Jackson 18,489, Adams 12,280.

 

Beverly

The Marietta Intelligencer, April 9, 1857

Mr. Barton, who spent a few days in Beverly last week canvassing for the Intelligencer, collected a few "items" concerning that enterprising burgh, which we are fain to make room for. He is enthusiastic in praise of the hospitality and good cheer with which he was received, and the manner in which he speaks of the ladies shows that the young man has a heart very susceptible to feminine influences. It is to be hoped for our sake that no fair one will be captivated by his "handsome countenance" until he has accomplished our work.

Notwithstanding the "hard times" and the "tightness of the money market," the merchants and other businessmen of Beverly are in good spirits in anticipation of a fair business season. The flouring mills and other manufacturing establishments are in active operation, and these give an impulse to all other branches of industry.

Among the dry goods merchants who are worthily mentioned are S. F. Seeley, whose store was found crowded with merchandize and customers too, and who was rapidly disposing of his large stock of fashionable and staple goods. S. G. Hoge, an active, enterprising young man, who is building up a fine business, was in daily expectation of a large addition to his already extensive assortment of goods, which he is determined to sell as cheap as the cheapest. W. A. Hawley, occupying the large and commodious room formerly occupied by Mr. McCullom, is doing a large business. His stock is selected with much care and with reference to the special wants and tastes of his customers. He sells a great many goods at small profits.

A few doors above Mr. Hawley's is the grocery store of R. Williams, who is prepared to accommodate the public with everything in his line cheap for cash. His clerk, S. F. Young, is so obliging and attentive that this establishment cannot fail to become popular with the people.

Dr. C. W. Glines, brother of C. E. Glines of Marietta, is located at Beverly in the practice of his profession of dentistry. He is represented as a mild spoken man but a great jawer. However both the theory and practice of his may be, he understands his profession and is bound to succeed.

Messrs. Dodge, Bain & Co., owners of the large flouring mill known as the "Upper Mill," erected a year or so ago, are extensively engaged in the manufacture of flour. They purchase wheat at the highest and sell flour at the lowest market price, being content with small profits. The Beverly flour has always sustained a high reputation and there is no fear that it will be damaged in the hands of such men as Dodge, Bain & Brook.

H. A. Staley of the Woolen Factory contemplates a change of business soon. We hope his experience in woolen manufactures has not been as sad as that of the company in Marietta. May success attend him in whatever enterprise he engages.

The extensive tannery of P. O. Dodge is still carried on and is doing a fine business under the management of the enterprising proprietor.

The industrious and skillful mechanics of the town find plenty of employment even in these complaining times - among whom we may mention Mr. Clogston, I. W. Fouts, I. L. W. Newton, William Eakin, and L. D. McGwigan, good workmen in their several occupations and worthy of support.

The principal hotels of Beverly are Craig's and McCadden's, both well-spoken of by Mr. B. Mr. McCadden is the proprietor of the daily mail line between this city and Zanesville. He is prompt, energetic and always up to time. 

We are constrainted to believe that Beverly is, indeed, considerable of a town, and we offer our testimony most willingly to the worth and enterprise of its citizens. We hope the time is not far distant when we may make the personal acquaintance of our subscribers there and have occular proof of the growth and prosperity of the town.

Messrs. W. V. Z. Wheeler, C. R. Barclay, S. F. Young, and others in Beverly, and C. Willard Bowen of Waterford, rendered very efficient service to Mr. B. in prosecuting his work, for which we offer our grateful acknowledgments.

 

Old Marietta Papers - Number 15

The Marietta Register, January 1, 1864

"Old Marietta Papers" was a series of columns compiled and published in 1863 and 1864 by Rodney M. Stimson, editor of "The Marietta Register."

"The First Religious Universalian Society," Robert Williamson, Clerk, held its annual meeting March 2, 1822.

Nathan McIntosh, on March 15, 1822, advertises as ready for sale, a Pamphlet, of which he was the author, entitled, "The Scriptures an Allegory" - 48 pages, 25 cents.

March 23, Nelson Mees died from a severe wound occasioned by the bursting of a small cannon on the day before.

April 10, 1822, Benjamin P. Putnam had now become Cashier of the Bank of Marietta, in place of Alexander Henderson - oldest brother of Douglas Putnam and at this time only 22 years of age.

May 18, 1822, the steamer "Rufus Putnam," built by Capt. John Greene, was launched. This boat left Marietta on her first trip July 12 and "arrived at Wheeling in 16-1/2 running hours, nearly two hours quicker than any steamboat before her."

March 22, 1823, the steamboat Mechanic, built at Little Muskingum, was launched.

Drowned in Duck Creek, April 17, 1823, Hugh McCullough.

Town Council, 1823, George Dunlevy, John Cotton and D. H. Buell; Clerk, Royal Prentiss; Treasurer, John Mills; Assessors, George Turner and C. Emerson.

June 26, 1823, the Friend was enlarged from four to five columns on a page, was made longer in proportion, and added Gazette to the title, thus: "American Friend & Marietta Gazette"; and Genison Prentiss became associated with Royal - "R & G. Prentiss."

July 4, 1823. Celebration in Harmar, Declaration read by David Morris. Oration by A. V. D. Joline. Toasts were given by Dr. Charles Hildreth, Dr. Morris German, William A. Whittlesey, Turhand K. Cook, D. C. Skinner, and others.

July 12, Col. Augustus Stone published a regimental order that Luther D. Barker had been appointed Adjutant; William Henry Shipman, Quartermaster; George N. Gilbert, Surgeon's Mate; William R. Browning, Sergeant Major; Jesse Hilderbrand, Drum Major; and Charles Haskell, Quartermaster Sergeant.

Col. Stone, after having been Colonel eight years, resigned in course of the following month; and John Mills, Lieut. Col., gave notice for an election on Aug. 26th in Waterford to fill the vacancy.

Squirrel Hunt in Barlow - In Sept., 1822, there was a squirrel hunt in Barlow, about 20 hunters on a side, under command of Captains Woodruff and Pond, in which 4,216 squirrels were killed! There was then a "grand army" of squirrels on the march in an eastward direction. They swam rivers, committed great ravages on cornfields, and were killed in large numbers, in various localities.

ELECTION in 1822 - The poll was very light. For Governor, Marietta voted: Jeremiah Morrow, 80; William W. Irvin, 11; Allen Trimble, 2.

Ephraim Cutler of Washington, and John Patterson of Morgan, were elected Representatives; Royal Prentiss, re-elected Auditor; Silas Cook, re-elected Sheriff; Joseph Barker, Commissioner; John Merrill, Coroner.

The vote of the county stood - For Governor: Morrow, 458; Irvin, 149; Trimble, 67. For Congress: Levi Barber, 503; Samuel F. Vinton, 184; Robert Lucas, 6. For Representatives (2): Ephraim Cutler, 438, and John Patterson, 357; Alexander Hill, 169, and Sherebiah Clark, 207; Joel Tuttle, Jr., 56; Isaac Humphreys, 21. For Commissioner: Joseph Barker, 331; James M. Booth, 251; Salmon N. Cook, 73. Coroner: John Merrill, 327; Robert McCabe, 301. There was no opposition to the re-election of Mr. Prentiss as Auditor, and Mr. Cook, as Sheriff, except in one township. Samuel F. Vinton was elected to Congress for the first time in 1822.

ELECTION in 1823 - The polls were opened in only about half the townships of the county, and the vote was small where they were opened. For Senator: Ephraim Cutler received 203 votes; Elijah Hatch, 33. Mr. Cutler was elected in the district, and William Skinner of Washington and John Patterson (re-elected), of Morgan, were chosen Representatives; Dea. William R. Putnam, Commissioner.

MARRIAGES in 1822:

Jan. 2, in Waterford, William R. Reed and Amelia McAfee.

Jan. 12, Robert G. Porterfield and Lucy Lyon.

Feb. 6, Archibald Greenlees of Belpre and Mary Young of Marietta.

Feb. 12th, Genison Prentiss and Eliza Stone.

Feb. 23d, Henry Rumbold and Mrs. Eleanor Shepard, both of Union.

Feb. 27th, Augustus C. Tuttle and Martha Flanders, both of Fearing.

March 5, James Dutton and Mrs. Barbara Ann Rayley, both of Aurelius.

March 6th, George McDonald of Union and Ruth Broom of Fearing.

March 13th, in Fearing, Jewett Palmer and Rachel Campbell.

March 20th, Jonathan Jennings and Susan Reckard.

March 25th, Deming L. Rathbone of Columbus and Julia H. Putnam of Belpre.

March 30th, Stephen Daniels and Sophia Warren

March 30th, Robert Boothby and Isabella Chambers.

Apr. 17, John Campbell of Salem and Lucy Driskill of Aurelius.

Apr. 24th, Lawrence Chamberlain and Laura S. Clark.

Apr. 24th, Thomas Broom and Elizabeth Jackson, both of Salem.

June 5, Harrison Webster and Avis Devol of Waterford.

June 8th, John Brophy and Mrs. Caroline Smith.

June 15th, Henry Hook and Mary Bukey.

July 2, Russell Harris and Amy Amlin.

Oct. 2, John T. Judd and Nancy B. Tucker, both of Union.

Oct. 2, Merritt Judd and Mina Mead of Salem.

Oct. 19, William Warren and Nancy McAllister.

Dec. 11, Morgan Wood and Betsey Allison, both of Adams.

Eden, Alias Muskingum

Columbian Centinel, June 6, 1792

It is supposed that the New City to be erected in a certain part of this Commonwealth will be called Eden, alias Muskingum New - and from the eminently prolifick genius of the Projector, it is not doubted that every tree of the Western Paradise will soon be introduced into it: Pumpkin-trees, Custard-trees, Shirt and Jacket trees; with many other of incredible magnitude and fertility.

Nay it is whispered that the Mammoth species of animals will be recovered and raised here, by planting the teeth in hotbeds of a particular preparation. Botanical gardens will abound; and Butterflies of all countries and of every hue will be here collected. Every citizen will be a virtuolo, and the infant of days, a minute philosopher. 

Numbers are confident that the place may be easily made a sea-port; and considerable progress towards it is made already, by clearing the Muskingum river, which communicates with the Agawam, and so with the ocean. Merchants from all quarters of the globe are to bring their treasures, and Princes their glory and honour to this city - but no enemy can possibly come near. 

Perhaps it would be extravagant to say that this city will have no need of the Sun or of the Moon to shine in it; but the light of the Gospel, the good-natured inhabitants have long dispensed with, to give time to the Bishop to pursue his sublime speculations.

Old Marietta Papers - Number 14

The Marietta Register, December 25, 1863

"Old Marietta Papers" was a series of columns compiled and published in 1863 and 1864 by Rodney M. Stimson, editor of "The Marietta Register."

Court House Built in 1822 - Bitter Controversy as to its Location

The fact that a public meeting was held in Marietta, Sept. 13, 1819, "for ascertaining public opinion in reference to a New Court House," has already been noted. The meeting, of which Hon. John Sharp of Lawrence was Chairman, and James M. Booth, Esq., Secretary, adopted a report submitted by Ex-Gov. Meigs, Col. Levi Barber, and D. H. Buell, Esq., in favor of a Court House with fire-proof offices at the corner of Second and Putnam streets. The Report was sent to the County Commissioners as an expression of "public opinion."

For over two years afterwards we find no mention of a new Court House in the "Friend." Nov. 9, 1821, an advertisement appears, as follows:

"A Plan for the Court House, 48 feet square, with a fire-proof office in each corner, 16 feet square, will be received from any person who conceives he has a taste for drawing, and who is willing to contribute his knowledge to the convenience and elegance of a building of this kind - until the 1st day of March next, to be left at the Auditor's office."

Soon a sharp controversy sprung up in regard to the location of the new Court House. The old one stood where the jail now [1863] stands. A public meeting, as we have seen, reported in favor of the location opposite the old one, where the present Court House stands; the resolutions, plans and calculations of the Commissioners all looked to this location, and "the ground already marked out."

Jan. 11, 1822, the "Friend" published a petition to the Commissioners by the request of "Many," which petition remonstrated against the "proposed situation" as "not the most eligible" on account of mud," "greater exposedness to fire," "danger of inconvenience from inundations," and "the want of sufficient eligible room for the separate erection of fire-proof offices." The petitioners further considered "the location of these offices on spots of the dryest soil and beyond the reach of high water, a matter of the highest consequence." They therefore recommended "that the upper elevated square in Marietta, called Capitolium, situate on Washington Street and reserved by the Ohio Company for public buildings, be taken as a place whereon to erect a Court House, as being free from the above objections, and possessing the following additional recommendations," viz: "Natural elevation and beauty of situation," "artificial elevation and ancient works," "ample room," "more out of the way of loiterers," and "the consequent increase of the town."

Jan. 18, the following notice appeared: "Persons feeling interested in the location of the New Court House, near the old one, are requested to meet at the Court House in Marietta tomorrow at 2 o'clock, P.M."

Feb. 1, a "Counter Petition" (against the one for the Capitolium location) was published in the "Friend." It was a mere communication, answering the objections to the present location of the Court House on account of "mud," danger of "fire," "inundations," and "want of room," it considers the location as "central," &c; and then pitches into the Capitolium location as being "out of sight, remote from inhabitants, and hardly accessible," and it was asked, "Who owns the land?" and "what to be done with the contracts already made, the underpinning, and the old jail?"

Feb. 8, the "Friend" contained three communications in reference to this matter. A "Plain Man" argued for the Capitolium location, holding that it would advance the general interest of both town and county," and he met the objections as to "title" to land, "existing contracts," &c. "Highlander" sharply and sarcastically criticised the article of "Counter Petitioner," who had written against the Capitolium as "hardly accessible," "up a steep hill," "out of sight," &c. And "A Petitioner" publishes an incisive article on the same side.

"March 5, it was editorially stated that the petition for removing to the Capitolium contained the names of 1172 persons. This was a larger number than had ever voted in the county at any election, but the Commissioners - Daniel Goodno of Belpre, Samuel Beach of Waterford, and Amzi Stanley of Marietta - rejected the petition and resolved to erect the Court House on Fifth Street at the place where the town of Marietta should select, between the bottom on said street and the burying ground square, including the square on condition that the subscribers to that site should contribute more money and materials for the Court House than should be contributed by those in favor of the old site, corner of Second and Putnam, and should also remove gratuitously the materials collected at the old site to the new one, when the old site should be surrendered to the subscribers to the new one.

March 27, town meeting held at the Court House, D. H. Buell, Esq., Chairman. A resolution to donate a site for Court House from the Mound Square (Mound Cemetery) was voted down - 75 yeas, 116 nays.

The "sense of the present meeting" was then taken on the question that "the southerly end of the square, opposite the house of H. P. Wilcox, Esq., on Putnam Street, known as the Thierry lots, is a suitable site for a Court House," &c., and carried - yeas 100, nays 90. The meeting then adjourned. This location was in the square now occupied by the College.

The "Thierry lots" party subscribed $1061.50; the party for the old site did not subscribe anything. The Commissioners then required a title to the new site "as good" as that of the old one.

April 12, the Commissioners published an address "To the Citizens of the County of Washington," in which they refer to "much agitation of the public mind" in reference to the location of the Court House. They speak of "liberal offers" for the Court House by the citizens of Harmar, refer to the location on the Plain, sum up by considering "validity of title paramount to all other considerations," and taking into view "all the facts," &c., "have resolved to erect the county buildings on the old site" on lots given for that purpose by Dudley Woodbridge, Esq. (Sen.), and the late Col. Ebenezer Sproat, on one of which the old Court House stands" and to proceed with the work "with dispatch."

This settled the location where the Court House and Jail now stand. But next week, April 19, a long communication signed by Caleb Emerson, Ichabod Nye, and John Cotton, "Committee for subscribers on the Plain," shows up the County Commissioners in a style that id decidedly refreshing. They charge the Commissioners with "evading their solemn engagements," &c.; but it was of no use - the Plain men, although, according to the Committee they had the majority, had subscribed the money, had fulfilled all the conditions required of them, were yet defeated by the "will of the Commissioners."